The flora of Paul Penders – Today: Pegaga

This is the sixteenth part of our series where we take a look at all the 22 ingredients in Paul Penders’ patent pending LevensESSENTIE Gold® herbal extract which is a part of all Paul Penders products.

Pegaga (Centerela Asiatica) – also known as Indian Pennyworth – is a herb with antibacterial, anti-psoriatic and genuine wound-healing properties.

Known throughout Asia as “The Miracle Hero of the Rainforest”, pegaga is a member of the parsley family and grows wild alongside ordinary grass.

It is native to a large area, from Iran in west to the northern part of Australia in the east, including certain areas of East Africa and Madagascar.

About the size of a thumbnail, its clover-like leaves are inconspicuous, but this belies their true capabilities. When used topically or orally, pegaga leaves possess several qualities that cause a chain of beneficial effects in the body.

Pegaga is considered quite nutritious. It can be eaten raw or cooked. The taste is slightly bitter and leafy and the herb is often used in Asian cooking. In rice and curry dishes as finely chopped leaves, or as whole leaves in various salads. In most Asian countries pegaga is also used as an ingredient in herbal drinks, for example in India where it is a part of the summer drink “thandaayyee”

Pegaga has been used since ancient times, especially in the Ayurvedic medical system of India and in Chinese traditional medicine.

Traditionally, pegaga has been used for treating asthma, bronchitis, dysentery, gastric acid, kidney trouble, urethritis, as a blood purifier and as a cure for indestignation, nervousness and dysentery. Extracts of pegaga helps stimulating the blood flow and is a remedy for skin problems.

Furthermore, pegaga is believed to have a direct action on lowering the blood pressure and is often referred to as a rejuvenating medicament.

WHO logo

Pegaga is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most important medical plant species to be conserved and cultivated.

When applied to the skin in the form of cleanser, toner, moisturizer or other topical products, pegaga increases blood flow to the area, promoting cellular renewal and healing. This, in turn, results in fresher, healthier skin. Pegaga is also believed to help promote collagen production, leading to firmer and more toned skin.

Organic grown pegaga is, of course, a very important part of Paul Penders LevensESSENTIE Gold® herbal extract.